May 16, 2024
Wrinkle Me This: Are Straws Meant To Prevent Fine Lines the Next Big Thing?
Recently popularized in several viral TikToks, these 7-shaped reusable straws supposedly serve as an anti-aging measure.
In the world of what can “age” us, TikTok 20-somethings are promoting the supposedly next big thing in drinkware: anti-wrinkle straws.
You may be thinking, “Straws cause wrinkles?” And if you’re now prompted to take a sip of your favorite beverage in front of a mirror, you may see fine lines around the top and sides of your lips. Shaped like the number seven, an anti-wrinkle straw features a hole in its top that the user sips from – without pursing their lips.
“I mean, it’s the fountain of youth,” said TikToker Rachel Carlisle in a video with almost 400,000 likes and 10.5 million views. “Nothing says I’m going to be youthful forever like Diet Coke out of an anti-wrinkle straw.”
World Gifts Makers (asi/98119) offers this resuable anti-wrinkle straw set (WY1027).
On the video, comments like, “this is so silly” and, “are you going to do other things sideways to avoid wrinkles?” poked fun at the trendy item, which has garnered dozens of reviews on the app.
Although no official, scientific studies have been conducted on the product, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Jenny Liu told the New York Times the straws work “in theory,” but emphasized the numerous factors that could contribute to fine lines around the mouth.
“Lip wrinkles are not just from repetitive movement,” she said. “Genetics, sun damage and other factors like occupation — like, for example, musicians that play with their mouth — can affect the likelihood of developing lip wrinkles.”
A few suppliers are offering anti-wrinkle straws made of glass, plastic or stainless steel on ESP and ESP+, including World Gifts Makers (asi/98119), Best Choose Company Inc. (asi/40279) and Idealspromo Inc. (asi/63622).
The straw’s original and most popular model comes from Normal, IL-based seller Lipzi, which exclusively sells the product. In the New York Times article, Lipzi owner Tim McManaman said he got the idea for the product after looking in the rearview mirror while sipping a drink. McManaman said he recently received a patent for the item and has seen his business turn profitable.
“There’s a lot of people that take it pretty serious,” McManaman added.
On Amazon, Lipzi’s straw two-pack has received over 463 reviews and a rating of 4.3 stars, with the site reporting more than 600 have been sold in the last month.
ETS Express (asi/51197) offers the Owala FreeSip bottle, which doesn’t require a straw.
Owala’s FreeSip Spout has also been called a wrinkle-free sip solution by reviewers on TikTok, who say using it could be considered a preventative skincare measure similar to applying undereye cream or sunscreen. The bottle’s mouthpiece does not require using a straw, eliminating the supposed culprit of lip-puckering wrinkles.
Although likely due more to the Utah-based brand’s trendiness rather than its straw-free design, Owala tumblers have swept the drinkware industry in promo and beyond, with the only supplier offering the FreeSip model – ETS Express (asi/51197) – noting likely shipping delays until March 2025 on its website. ESP searches for “Owala” drinkware grew by 2,081% in April 2024 compared to the same month last year, according to ASI research.
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